In developing a gifted program, practitioners typically review the literature supporting programming. They also look to state and national organizations for evidence of standards for gifted programs. The National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) continues to research and update program standards:
https://www.nagc.org/resources-publications/resources/national-standards-gifted-and-talented-education/pre-k-grade-12
These standards provide guidance to district or school based teams of teachers, parents and administrators in developing high quality gifted programs for their communities.
Ongoing program evaluation, set against staff and parent feedback, grounded in standards become defensible programming for gifted students.